The state Senate has passed a bill that would provide a flag to the families of fallen service members, cosponsored by Sen. Patty Ritchie.

Ritchie, R-Heuvelton, represents northern St. Lawrence County, including Ogdensburg, Canton, Gouverneur, Oswegatchie, Waddington, Lisbon, Madrid, Hermon and Morristown.

The bill would create the Lt. Colonel Todd Clark Memorial Flag Presentment Program, named for an Evans Mills man killed in Afghanistan earlier this month.

If the bill passes the Assembly, the family of a fallen service member would receive the United States and New York flags that flew over the state capitol at half-staff in the soldier’s honor.

“It’s a special tribute to our fallen soldiers and their families in recognition not only of their sacrifice but also their service for the Governor to order the flags at the Capitol lowered to half staff,” Ritchie said. “This measure completes the tribute by allowing those flags to be officially presented to the families as a gesture of sympathy and gratitude from every citizen of New York State.”

The bill has been sent to the Assembly.